Croatia leads U.S. 2-0 at Davis Cup tennis

POREC, Croatia, July 10 (UPI) -- Ivo Karlovic and Marin Cilic won their singles matches Friday, giving Croatia a 2-0 Davis Cup quarterfinal lead over the United States in Porec, Croatia.

Both matches went to five sets, with Karlovic beating James Blake 6-7 (5-7), 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3), 7-5 and Cilic downing Mardy Fish 4-6, 6-3, 6-7 (3-7), 6-1, 8-6.

Karlovic topped Blake with the help of 47 service aces.

Fish was a late addition to the U.S. squad after Andy Roddick, the runner-up at Wimbledon last week and a Davis Cup regular, withdrew because of a hip injury.

The Croatians aim for a tie-clinching victory in Saturday's doubles, sending Karlovic and Lovro Zovko against the highly regarded American twins Mike and Bob Bryan. Croatia is trying to reach the Davis Cup semifinals for the second time.

The United States has won 32 Davis Cup championships and is trying to qualify for the semifinals a fourth straight time.